Damsel or Dragon?

Dragonflies and damselflies are two related groups (suborders) that make up the insect order Odonata. Although very similar in many ways, they are also very easy to distinguish.

Dragonfly adults have a rather robust body, and perch with wings held out to the side. Their eyes are huge, often meeting at the top of the head. The bodies of damselfly adults are quite slender, and for most species the wings are folded together over their abdomen while at rest. While their eyes are very large, they are set somewhat to the side of the head rather than dominating the front.

Dragonflies are swift and strong fliers, reminiscent of tiny airplanes, while damselflies have a rather fluttering flight.

Their aquatic nymph stage is also quite distinct. Damselflies have three leaf-like gills at the tip of their abdomen, while the more robust dragonfly nymphs lack these. Damselfly nymphs swim with a side-to-side “snake-like” motion, while dragonflies spurt water out through the anus to swim with a “jet-propulsion” type of movement.

Dragonflies

Family Aeshnidae (Darners)

Dragonflies in this family are large-bodied insects with noticeable finger-like projections at the end of their long abdomens and possess large compound eyes which meet each other at the top of the head. They are strong fliers, difficult to catch and most perch in a vertical position.

Canada Darner

Aeshna canadensis

Length: 64 -73 mm

Description: a large brown dragonfly with two stripes on each side of the thorax and relatively large spots on segments three to ten. The first stripe has a deep notch and resembles a thorn.

On males, the abdominal spots are blue; the stripes are often blue at the top transitioning to green at the bottom. Females have the same markings but may be all blue, green or yellow. The face is

pale green with no heavy black line. Males have paddle-shaped claspers with a row of tiny bumps along the top.

Habitat: lakes, swamps, beaver ponds and streams – often seen patrolling shorelines and in darner swarms

Flight Season: end of June to beginning of October

Range: common across Ontario, except for southwestern Ontario, where it is uncommon

True Fact: The markings on this species darken when it is cold becoming brown or grey instead of blue, green or yellow.

Female Canada darner, Photo: Bev Edwards

Male Canada darner, Photo: Gary Yankech

Fawn Darner

Boyeria vinosa

Length: 60 -71 mm

Description: fairly uniform brown, two bright yellow to white spots on each side of thorax, smaller and paler yellowish spots on abdomen, wings dark brown at base

Habitat: shady streams and rivers, adults may also patrol ponds and lakes

Flight Season: June to October

Range: southern and central Ontario, west to Manitoba but south of boreal forest and absent north of Lake Superior

True Fact: This species may land on people’s legs while attempting to lay eggs (this is the source of the myth that dragonflies sting).

Family Gomphidae (Clubtails)

These dragonflies are named for the enlarged posterior abdominal segments in many species (most pronounced in males, females have a somewhat thicker abdomen).

Dragonhunter

Hagenius brevistylus

Length:73 – 90 mm

Description: large dragonfly, black and yellow, long legged, small head, in flight abdomen tip may be curled down; male with green eyes, yellow face, thorax boldly striped yellow and black, abdomen black with yellow patches on sides of basal segments and near tip of abdomen with small yellow side spots in between; female similar colour and pattern to male but much more yellow on abdomen sides

Habitat: usually streams and rivers with moderate to fast current, sometimes lakes

Flight Season: June to September

Range: throughout the Great Lakes region west to Manitoba, including southern edge of boreal forest

True Fact:This species is well named, as it preys on dragonflies and damselflies.A particular favourite is reported to be the ebony jewelwing damselfly.They also prey on butterflies. This species is the largest of the clubtails.

Lilypad Clubtail

Habitat: lakes, ponds and slow-moving streams with floating vegetation such as lily pads

Flight Season: May to August

Range: through southern Ontario to south part of Georgian Bay

True Fact: As its name suggests, males of this species like to perch on lily pads, but also on other low vegetation, rocks and sandy shores.

Female lilypad clubtail, Photo: Stylurus

Male lilypad clubtail, Photo: Harry Adams, www.pursuitofpixels.com

Family Cordulegastridae (Spiketails)

Large dragonflies, with black to brown bodies and with conspicuous yellow markings on the thorax and abdomen, are typical of the Spiketail family.

Arrowhead Spiketail

Cordulegaster obliqua

Length: 72 – 81 mm

Description: large spiketail, eyes green, thorax dark brown with two bold yellow stripes on each side and two smaller ones on the front, abdomen black with striking yellow arrowhead markings on abdomen; female similar but with long, pointed ovipositor extending beyond tip of abdomen (therefore named spiketail)

Habitat: small, usually muddy streams in forests, often in streams with only a series of pools in drier weather, often in areas where skunk cabbage is present

Flight Season: May to July

Range: southern Ontario to north shore of Georgian Bay, west to Sault Ste Marie area

True Fact: Males perch on twigs or stems along water or patrol by flying low, and often cover the entire length of small streams. A meeting between males will often result in a chase or sometimes a mid-air fight, with each attempting to seize and bite the other.

Female arrowhead spiketail, Photo: bgv23

Male arrowhead spiketail, Photo: Lisa Brown

Family Corduliidae (Emeralds)

As suggested by the family name, emerald dragonflies have shimmering green eyes (the exception being the newly emerged adults whose eyes are reddish-brown at first) and dark, metallic green to black bodies with few if any pale markings. Many have hairy thoraxes and abdomens.

Common Baskettail

Epitheca cynosura

Length: 38 – 43 mm

Description: small, brownish dragonfly, row of yellow spots along sides of abdomen, eyes red and grey for much of life but bright emerald green when fully mature; small to large basal spot on the wing (near the body); large wing spots on some make their flight seem “fluttery”

Range: southeastern and southwestern Ontario to north shore area of Georgian Bay; in the northwest Rainy River to Lake of the Woods

True Fact: The patrolling beat of males may be only 15 metres, which he covers by flying back and forth frequently. After mating, the female carries her eggs in a “basket” at the tip of her abdomen, which she places in floating vegetation such as algae.

Female common baskettail, Photo: Lisa Brown

Male common baskettail, Photo: summerazure

Prince Baskettail

Epitheca princeps

Length: 59 –75 mm

Description: fairly large and elegant-looking, eyes bright green at full maturity, eyes of female may be red over grey: thorax brown with small yellow spots low on sides, usually with three spots on each wing.

Habitat: quiet waters, in large ponds, lakes and rivers

Flight Season: June to September

Range: throughout southern Ontario to north shores of Georgian Bay, also west of Lake Superior but south of boreal forest

True Fact: This species often feeds in swarms in open areas. Pairs attach while flying over water, and may copulate in flight. Females form an egg mass, then fly over water and drop the mass gradually, dragging out a long string of eggs.

Family Macromiidae (Cruisers)

Fast-flying, usually up and down streams or along lake shores, these large brown to black dragonflies have large eyes (sometimes brilliant green), usually a pale stripe on each side of the thorax, pale spots or rings on the abdomen and long legs.

Swift River Cruiser

Macromia illinoiensis

Length: 65-76 mm

Description: a large-sized strong flier, dark brown to black with green eyes, a solitary yellow stripe on each side of thorax and small yellowish spots along the abdomen including a very large spot near the posterior end. The abdomen is slightly clubbed in males

Habitat: streams and rivers with slow to fast currents, muddy to rocky bottoms

Flight Season: June to September

Range: southern and central Ontario to Sault Ste Marie, west from Thunder Bay district to Manitoba border

True Fact: Males are quick, like a missile, when pursuing females in lengthy chases.

Male, swift river cruiser, Photo: Larry Meade

Family Libellulidae (Skimmers)

The skimmers are a large, diverse family of brightly coloured dragonflies that often have boldly patterned wings. Large compound eyes come together at the centre of the head, giving a helmet-like appearance.

True Fact: While hovering during patrol flights, this species may jerk abdomen up and down. Males and females are commonly seen in open areas quite far from water

Female widow skimmer, Photo: Ed McAskill

Male widow skimmer, Photo: Harry Adams, www.pursuitofpixels.com

Twelve-spotted Skimmer

Libellula pulchella

Length: 52 – 57 mm

Description: male and female with three black spots on each wing, white patches between these spots in mature male, male with light grey abdomen as it matures, continuous pale stripes along sides of brownish abdomen in female

Habitat: lakes and ponds with marshy borders, slow streams

Flight Season: June to October

Range: southern Ontario to north shore of Georgian Bay, west of Lake Superior but absent from its north shore and from the boreal forest

True Fact: Males are aggressive and chase other species and well as their own. During competitive displays, males will hover face-to-face. This species is a strong flier, and large

numbers have been seen flying south, so this species is suspected to be migratory.

True Fact: This species oviposits by dropping eggs into vegetation along water, and also lays eggs directly in water.

Female ruby meadowhawk, Photo: Bev Edwards

Male ruby meadowhawk, Photo: Chris Earley

Yellow-legged or Autumn Meadowhawk

Sympetrum vicinum

Length: 31 – 35 mm

Description: male overall red, abdomen with less black than most other meadowhawks, female yellowish with a projecting scoop, the sub genital plate, near the tip of the abdomen

(visible in side view). Unlike other adult meadowhawks, this species has yellow or light brown legs.

Habitat: ponds, lakes, slow streams, wooded habitats

Flight Season: July to November

Range: southern Ontario to north of Georgian Bay, in far west Rainy River to Lake of the Woods

True Fact: This species flies late into autumn, until the first heavy frost. The females form balls of eggs, which the pair in tandem drop from several centimetres up.

Female autumn meadowhawk, Photo: Harry Adams, www.pursuitofpixels.com

Male autumn meadowhawk, Photo: Per Verdonk

Black Saddlebags

Tramea lacerata

Length: 51 – 55 mm

Description: hind wings with broad black band near base (some suggest they resemble theatre comedy masks facing each other across the abdomen), overall black or dark brown appearance, yellow squarish marks near tip of abdomen, female and immature male show more yellow dorsally on abdomen

Habitat: shallow open lakes, ponds, ditches with much vegetation, including temporary ponds

Flight Season: May to October

Range: southern Ontario to south shore of Georgian Bay and Bruce peninsula

True Fact: This species has a large territory, often exceeding 30 metres along shoreline. As it flies over, the black bands (saddlebags) can be observed to identify this species. They are very migratory, often found with green darners in autumn swarms.